Interlude: Maleu had enough. The next morning she stole a horse and rode out after the Fellowship. By some strange dream she had one night, she saw them approaching in a Golden Wood. After many questions she found out that it was Lothlorien and how to get there easiest.
She crossed the Misty Mountains and rode along them for a week until she reached a Golden Wood. Elves stopped her at the border and told her that the fellowship, though the lady knew were coming, had not arrived yet.
Maleu was welcomed, nonetheless. Though many elves looked at her strangely, sensing her less the pure Elven blood. They did not draw near her often to converse. So most of the time she was alone waiting for the Fellowship. (Mainly Legolas, the hobbits, and Gandalf.)
On this particular day there was a great murmur about the forest.
There they were. Legolas, The hobbits, Aragorn, even Boromir. They had arrived. Maleu stood back waiting them to finish their meeting with Galadriel. They seemed so sad. Maleu couldn't figure out what was going on. Haldir came up behind her,
" They have come." He told her simply.
" Yes…" she paused thinking, " Where is Gandalf?"
" Gandalf?" Haldir questioned. " Oh yes, Mithrandir. I do not know." Maleu watched them. Grief was certainly upon them.
They left the lady to go and rest. Legolas stood upon the largest roots of a tree anyone had ever seen. Even on the roots his feet were far above the head of even Aragorn. Frodo sat against a tree just out of sight of the rest of the Fellowship. Maleu approached him, then decided better of it. If she slipped into her trance, it might be too late before anyone could stop her.
Cautiously she went around the side of the tree and climbed up just behind where Legolas stood. Legolas heard her but assumed it to be Aragorn or another elf.
" Yes," he answered without being acknowledged.
" I was just wondering if Green leaves return long after they are gone," Maleu said with a small tone of sadness and happiness all at once. Legolas' eyes grew wide and he turned around on the spot.
" Maleu?" he questioned softly. Maleu smiled. " I cannot believe it," he uttered with wonder. " Out of sadness, pain, and anguish comes a happiness with no ends."
" If you are speaking of me, happiness I can bring has bounds. Nothing is boundless." Maleu said weakly. " What is so terrible that you are so happy to see me?"
Legolas looked away. A warm lament began to ring through the woods; he didn't answer. Legolas took her hands.
" What are they saying?" Maleu asked. Legolas listened to each line then began slowly,
" Olorin who once was…Sent by the Lords of the West, to guard the lands of the East. Wisest of all Maiar, What drove you to leave that which you once loved?
Mithrandir, Mithrandir O Pilgrim Grey. No more you wander the green fields of the earth. Your journey has ended in darkness, The bounds cut the spirit broken. The flame of Arnor has left this world. A great light has gone out." Maleu stood stunned.
" Gandalf…" she muttered and cast her eyes down. Legolas gave her hands a tight grasp.
" Come, I am not the only one who has missed you." Legolas led her down to the others. " Aragorn! Little ones! Come, quick!" Legolas called to them. Merry and Pippin looked up and smiles spread across their faces. Aragorn came running into the camp, he thought trouble had come to them.
He stood shocked at the sight of her. Remembering the haunting images she shrunk back a bit. Frodo came around the tree and smiled at her.
Late that night she sat alone near the river. Legolas was sleeping in his elvish way. (Eyes open) And the rest of the fellowship had gone to sleep, or so she thought.
" My lady? Why are you awake?" a deep voice came from behind her. She jumped and looked back at Boromir.
" I should be asking you the same question, my lord." Maleu replied. Boromir sat down on the tree trunk next to her.
" It is hard for me to find rest here. I don't think I will find any until we leave." Boromir paused. " Do you think you will accompany us later?"
" I do not know." She replied distantly. She hadn't really thought about it. They sat silent for a bit; Boromir seemed to be thinking deeply about something. " Is something troubling you, Boromir?" Boromir took a deep breath.
" Do you love Lord Legolas?" he asked her. She was a bit taken aback. After a moment she asked him,
" Why do you ask?"
" Because, like the elf lord, I have fallen in love with a Rare beauty." He told her looking deep into her eyes. Maleu felt herself in a daze. Everything was crashing upon her one by one. First she found friends, then she fell in love with one of them and lost him. When she finally gets him and others back, now there will be a resentment between them if she chose either way.
" Would you choose a Steward of Gondor over an Elf Prince of Mirkwood?" Boromir asked quietly. 'Prince? Legolas was a Prince?' Maleu thought to herself.
" No…" she muttered, " You cannot make me choose. Amidst everything, you cannot possibly expect me to tell either of you who could own my heart."
Boromir nodded a little crestfallen. He looked at her,
" I know you love Legolas. I would not wish to come between you. For if you didn't wish me to hate me you would have told me straight out. I will never bother you in this again." Boromir stood up and began to walk away. Maleu stood up and put her hand on his arm. " Please don't stop me from leaving. You will make this harder then it already is."
" I'm so sorry. You are truly a Noble man of Gondor," Maleu whispered. Boromir stopped and turned to her.
Boromir placed a gloved hand on her cheek. He leaned forward and kissed her lightly on the lips. He pulled away as a tear rolled down his cheek. Maleu just stood there and watched him disappear into the shadows.
A/N: So the truth comes out. (Dun, dun, dun.) He loves her enough to let her go to the one she loves…Isn't that special? Okay enough of that. I need to decide how this is going to go. If she will stay in Lothlorien or if she will go with them? Or if she goes with them Will she go with the Legolas and Aragorn and Gimli or will the Uruk-hai know her and capture her too. OR will perhaps a cruel fate befall her and Boromir together?
Hehe that is too evil.